Hannah Whitall Smith wrote in her classic work, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, that this life of obedience and faith is “so glorious, and human words seem so powerless!” And then she prayed, “May God grant me so to tell it, that every believer to whom this book shall come, may have his eyes opened to see the ruth as it is in Jesus, and may be enabled to enter into possession of this glorious life for himself!” I echo this prayer for you, the creatives and dwellers of the places you will call home.

- Love Where You Live

My prayer has been answered for you! Over this past year, you’ve awakened to the God who sent you here and are being courageous and creative. You’re choosing to stay and waiting until He says leave. God is giving you moments to show kindness and you’re doing it! You’re really doing it - opening up your home, giving your gifts away, listening to your culture and context and making a difference! You’re learning to love where you live!

Which leads me to an exciting announcement!

January is Love Where You Live Month!

And specifically, January 22, 2020 is Love Where You Live Day! A day to intentionally do one thing to show your city, your neighborhood, your school that you love them! #lovewhereyouliveday

More details to come, but don’t let this stop you from making plans to carry this out as a family, a church, or a team.

Your stories are needed!

We don’t want perfect. We want real.

Send us your story of how you’ve decided to stay.

How you’re giving up comfort for creativity.

How you’re living in your quadrants, circles, and hub.

How you’re doing life better because you’re choosing to embrace the people and place.

How you’re getting to know your neighbors.

How you’re doing this as a family and as a church.

How God has shown up and is working around you.

These stories will be shared here on the blog and on social media! We’ll choose 10 stories to share and each storyteller will receive a Limited Edition Love Where You Live Tote or Doormat!

Hear us loud and clear!

Don’t wait to get your story perfect - click the button below and send it to us! We need lots of them! Because stories inspire us and are proof that God is at work in the most ordinary and miraculous ways around us!

You can nominate a story!

Nominate someone you know personally for the Love Where You Live award to be announced on 01/22/20. They win a local restaurant gift card and 30 minute phone call with Shauna!

Your story will not be wasted. Their story won’t be wasted either. I promise. If you give us permission to publish it, we will use 10 stories for Love Where You Live month and will continue to use other stories in the months that follow. Your story matters. It was Eugenia in the chapter, Position Matters, who told me she’d been wanting to share her story for years and this book gave her the path to do so.

Here’s how:

Submit stories by December 31, 2019 using the form on Share Your Story.

If you are nominating someone, make sure you have their permission and include this in the form.

We will be in touch with you in early January if your story will be used in Love Where You Live Month.

If your story is selected for this month, you will win either a Love Where You Live Tote or Doormat! And the winner of the Love Where You Live Award will be contacted early January.

Mark your calendars: January 22, 2020

Love Where You Live Day